Apple’s App Store continues to make a significant economic impact in India, facilitating a staggering Rs 44,447 crores (approximately $5.31 billion) in developer billings and sales in 2024, according to a newly published report. An overwhelming 94 percent of this commerce flowed directly to developers and businesses without any commission deducted by Apple.
The report, authored by IIM Ahmedabad professor Viswanath Pingali, sheds light on the transformative effect the App Store has had on Indian developers, empowering them to expand their businesses and reach global audiences. Apple CEO Tim Cook praised India’s dynamic app development ecosystem, calling the App Store an "economic miracle" for developers both in India and across the globe. "The App Store has been an economic miracle for developers in India and all around the world, and we’re thrilled to support their work," Cook said. "This study underlines the power of India’s incredibly vibrant app economy. And we’re committed to keep investing in the success of developers of all sizes."
Massive Growth in Developer Revenue and Global Reach
Breaking down the 2024 figures, Indian developers earned Rs 38,906 crores (approximately $4.65 billion) from selling physical goods and services, Rs 3,014 crores (around $352.9 million) from in-app advertising, and Rs 2,527 crores (around $302 million) from digital goods and services through the App Store. Notably, nearly 80 percent of these earnings came from international markets, showcasing the global appeal of apps built in India. In fact, Indian-developed apps were downloaded over 755 million times globally in 2024 — a figure that has doubled over the last five years. Many of these apps secured positions in the top 100 charts across 70 storefronts outside India, demonstrating their widespread popularity.
Meanwhile, within India, downloads have tripled over the past five years, and earnings from Indian users have increased more than fivefold. Indian developers are especially excelling in sectors such as quick commerce, gig economy platforms, food delivery, travel, gaming, and entertainment, fueling a booming app culture. Small developers have particularly benefited from initiatives like Apple’s App Store Small Business Program, which offers reduced commission rates. Between 2021 and 2024, small developers saw a 74 percent rise in their earnings, indicating the growing inclusivity of the digital economy.
The report also highlights Apple’s focus on maintaining a secure App Store environment. From 2020 to 2023, Apple reportedly prevented more than $7 billion worth of potentially fraudulent transactions, including $1.8 billion in fraud prevention in 2023 alone. Furthermore, during the same period, the company rejected over 1.7 million app submissions for failing to meet its strict privacy, security, and quality standards. These findings arrive as Apple faces increasing scrutiny, particularly in the European Union (EU). The tech giant was recently fined 500 million euros by EU regulators for allegedly limiting developers' ability to direct users toward alternative payment methods outside the App Store — a move the EU argues violates the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by restricting competition and reducing consumer choice.
Despite regulatory pressures, the new data reaffirms the App Store’s critical role in nurturing India’s burgeoning app economy and supporting developers of all sizes to achieve global success. Apple’s continued investment and policy initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship indicate a strong commitment to maintaining India's vibrant digital ecosystem. As the app economy expands, Indian developers are poised to play an even greater role on the global stage, thanks in part to platforms like the App Store that offer them the infrastructure and reach needed to succeed.
